A simple and convenient elemental-direction-reaction route has been successfully developed to prepare oc-MnS nanorods under hydrothermal conditions using manganese and sulfur powder as starting materials in the temperature range of 240-260degreesC. It was found that the temperature was a key factor influencing the phase purity of the titled compound. A possible formation mechanism of the alpha-MnS nanorods was proposed on the basis of our contrast experimental results, which revealed that alpha-MnS nanorods were formed via an in situ sulfiding Mn(OH)(2) nanorods produced by the reaction of manganese and water. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.